Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish

  • Target Audience: Grade 1 - Grade 7
    Run Time:
    45 minutes (with Q&A post show)

    Available for theatres, festivals, outdoor spaces, and longhouses.

  • Written by Joseph A. Dandurand
    Directed & Dramaturgy by Chris McGregor
    Set, Props, Mask, Painting & Costume Design by Jay Havens
    Original Composition by Marguerite Witvoet
    Sound Design by Stephen Bulat
    Recorded Hang Drum by Jerrett Plett
    Mask Carving and Background Design by Carrielynn Victor
    Feast Dish Carving by Steven Beaver
    Original Feast Dish Carving by Earl Moulton and Don Froese

  • JESSIE RICHARDSON AWARDS 2020-2021
    Outstanding Production
    , Theatre for Young Audiences
    Significant Artistic Achievement, Outstanding Stage Management: Jillian Perry
    Nominated for Outstanding Performance, Chelsea Rose & Outstanding Design, Jay Havens

    JESSIE RICHARDSON AWARDS 2019-2020
    Nominated Outstanding Performance: Chelsea Rose
    Nominated Outstanding Design: Jay Havens

    JESSIE RICHARDSON AWARDS 2016-2017
    Nominated Outstanding Design Set, Costumes and Props:
    Jay Havens
    Nominated Outstanding Composer/Musical Direction: Marguerite Witvoet
    Nominated Significant Artistic Achievement for centrally focusing on an Indigenous story

  • The study guide will help prepare your students for the live theatre performance and use the performance to enhance your art curriculum in the classroom. DOWNLOAD [PDF]

  • Please review the requirements for booking Th'owxiya at your theatre. DOWNLOAD [PDF]

  • Get high-resolution photos to promote the performance at your location. DROPBOX FOLDER

from the blog

Summary

Immerse yourself in the legend of the basket ogress, Th’owxiya, an old hungry spirit that inhabits a feast dish full of bountiful delicious foods. This Kwantlen First Nations tale follows a sly Mouse (Kw’at’el) who is caught stealing cheese from this feast dish. To appease an angry Th’owxiya, Kw’at’el embarks on a journey to find two children for the ogress to eat, or else! Come enjoy the traditional Coast Salish and Sto:lo music, masks, and imagery while learning how Raven (Sqeweqs), Bear (Spa:th), and Sasquatch (Sasq’ets) trick a hungry spirit and save Kw’at’el and their family from becoming the feast!


Public Performances


Touring Information

Please contact the Booking & Marketing Coordinator by email at petrice@axistheatre.com or call 604 669 0631 for more information. 


Photo of ‘Raven’ by Jayda Paige Photography. All other photos by Javier Sotres Photography. Cast pictured: Taran Kootenhayoo, Chelsea Rose, Lindsay Warnock, Raes Calvert, and Merewyn Comeau.

Promo video (outdoor venue)

Th'owxiya promo video (short)


“Steeped in tradition.”

“What makes Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish truly unforgettable is its engaging story steeped in tradition."

Mark Robbins, Vancouver Presents

"This is beautifully done"

"The playwright has woven together meaningful, lively stories from his Kwantlen heritage, centring around the hungry feast dish." 

 - Patti Flather

"A simple voice"

"Joseph A. Dandurand opens his soul to give a simple voice to complex thoughts and emotions."

— Steven Buechler